She was born on Sept. 21, 1904, in St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of the late Charles and Ann Gibbons Kupferer Sr. She has two daughters: Donna Fessler (deceased) and Carole White. Helen lives at home with her daughter, Carole. She is the oldest living member of the First United Methodist Church of Vandalia and is believed to be the oldest living resident of Fayette County. A celebration will be held on the weekend of Sept. 23 with family and friends.

It sounds rather like an oxymoron, but “grief” is something in life that everyone eventually experiences, and adding the word “good” can describe a healthy, healing realization and acceptance of the loss of a loved one.

‘Possum Playing ‘Possum?...
…not this time. The morning after the last big rain, an opossum’s body was found in the lane in a puddle. We believe it was a case of “hit and run,” as the body was found down toward U.S. Route 40.
Also, we have not had a nightly visitor around the yard lately, and the girls’ eggs (Anita and Blackie hen) are now being accounted for. As we have no definite proof of identity, we refer to the body as “John O’Doe “ (but it was a ‘possum, not a deer doe).

About 100 kids took part in the "Team Kids Kickoff" last Wednesday evening at First Baptist Church in Vandalia.

The event included blow-up toys, a dunking booth (featuring youth pastor Matt Philbrick and the Rev. Robert Weaver getting dunked), games and all types of things to eat (pizza, sno cones, cotton candy and cookies). The activities were held in the parking lot at the church. Pictured with some of the children are bus drivers Jennifer Ellis and Kenneth Fleming.

By Joyce Mueller
The season is changing, and many activities are competing for our time and attention. Schedules and routines are now in order.
As they entered Wesley Hall, Evergreen Outreach guests were greeted by the music of Donna Smith, who provided a variety of piano selections. She accompanied the Rev. Jim Fackler, who started the program with the “Welcome" and "E.O.” songs.